Bees in danger

PUB. DATE

April 1992

SOURCE

New Scientist;4/25/92, Vol. 134 Issue 1818, p10

SOURCE TYPE

Periodical

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

Reveals that the first outbreak in Britain of the bee disease varroasis, now taking hold in England, has prompted the government to waive its lengthy vetting arrangements for the licensing of new agrochemicals. Special exception made in the case of apistan; Not approved for use in Britain but has been rushed through to help.

Reports that researchers at the US Department of Agriculture are developing new strategies for fighting parasitic varroa and tracheal mites which threatened the population of domestic bees in the country. Researchers' study of Russian bees that have genetic resistance to the varroa mite; Crop...

Reports on the infection of bees by an intestinal parasite called Crithidia bombi. Spread of parasite to other comb residents; Infection of the first bee of a colony; Effect of a flower's architecture on parasite transmission.

Focuses on research showing that beehives can be safeguarded against tracheal mites with homemade patties of shortening and sugar. Ability to give bees a thin coating of oil that either kills the mites or hinders their spread.